Author: ongcwabe

Following the round of 32 of the Gauteng Development League Youth Cup last weekend, the competition sees Gauteng’s best clashing again this weekend for a place in the last 16.

The Soweto Giants, Kaizer Chiefs, progressed to the next round with victories over the Vaal Elite Soccer Academy across the four age-group divisions (u13, u15, u17 and u19). It was not a surprise as Chiefs have enjoyed a successful year, winning the Gauteng Development League u13 division while finishing second and third respectively in the u17 and u19 divisions.

With a quarterfinal spot on the line, Chiefs tackle a red-hot Rosina Sedibane outfit, whose u13, u15, and u17 sides demolished the Young Boys Football Club this past weekend.

Despite those defeats, the Young Boys’ u19s fought long and hard against a vastly experienced Rosina Sedibane u19 team and eventually claimed a 2-1 win to reach the last 16.

Young Boys are away at the Kaizer Chiefs Village this weekend, where they’re sure to be put through the ringer by a team deeply motivated to bring home some silverware this season after missing out on the Gauteng Development League honours, which went to Highlands Park.

Highlands Park’s Championship status carries little to no weight in the new Youth Cup competition with its knockout format. The title-winning season has, however, certainly infused the Balfour Park-based club with some extra energy and confidence as they set their sights on making it a double by winning both the Gauteng Development League and the Youth Cup.

There were no surprises as the u15, u17 and u19 teams Highlands Park moved past Platinum Stars this past weekend with relative ease.

Other u19 teams competing in the Last 16 this weekend:
– North West University
– School of Excellence
– Mamelodi Sundowns
– Panorama FC
– TS Galaxy
– TUKS
– Siluma 7
– Remember Elite Sports Academy
– Kathorus Hyper Academy
– East Rand
– Joburg City
– Alaska U19

Gauteng Development League administrator Muzi Shangase has heaped praise on Highlands Park, declaring the club deserving champions of the 2023 season.

The Balfour Park-based outfit enjoyed an almost flawless campaign – occupying top-spot throughout the season.

“The games were a success,” said Shangase, reflecting on the gruelling eight-month-long league.

He was by no means surprised by the success of Highlands Park. “Looking back at last season, Highlands Park carried momentum into this year. Last season, they finished second after a Mamelodi Sundowns’ domination,” said Shangase.

“In terms of the personnel, from the players to the coaches, there’s not much change from last season. I think they are deserving champions because of the consistency they showed throughout. They have been leading from day one, and that is a tough task looking at the quality of their opponents, such as Mamelodi Sundowns, the School of Excellence and Kaizer Chiefs.” he added.

Focus now shifts to the GDL Youth Cup, which gets underway this week. The tournament features Gauteng’s top teams, including Highlands Park, but also allows for some of the sides that compete in lower promotional leagues to be part of the action.

“Regarding the GDL Youth Cup tournament, it is starting this weekend with 31 teams, [including] teams from the promotional leagues, and also teams from the recently concluded GDL,” said Shangase.

“We’re looking forward to this exciting tournament. The good thing about this tournament is that it allows teams from the promotional leagues to showcase their talents and also build relationships with GDL teams.”

The curtain raiser of the Youth Cup will be a match between Kagiso Porto and the School of Excellence on Saturday.

Another round of Gauteng Development League fixtures graced our screens on SuperSport channel 216 this past weekend.

All eyes were on Balfour Park as Highlands Park sought to carve their name on this season’s trophy as champions of the u19 division.

Having topped the log standings for all of the second half of the campaign, it was, therefore, no surprise that the ‘Orange Army’ were crowned the champions.

Their domination saw them lose only three matches, draw four and record 26 victories over the past eight months of intense competition.

Impressively, Highlands Park secured the title with one round of fixtures still remaining on the schedule.

Gauteng Development League Weekend Results:

Sunday:

Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School vs Highlands Park (1-2)
TUKS vs Panorama FC (1-2)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Jomo Cosmos FC (1-0)

Saturday:

Remember Elite Sports Academy vs Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School (2-2)
Randburg AFC vs School of Excellence (1-0)
Prestige Football Development Academy vs Siluma 7 (1-0)
Panorama FC vs Supersport United (2-0)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs TS Galaxy (6-0)
Kathorus Hyper Academy vs TUKS (1-1)
Kaizer Chiefs FC vs Wits Junior (2-0)
Kagiso Porto vs Highlands Park (1-2)
Joburg City FC vs Jomo Cosmos (5-2)

The Class of ’23
Remember to submit your nominations for SuperSport Schools’ “The Class of ’23”. We invite you to be a part of this journey by nominating unforgettable moments, outstanding athletes, and inspiring coaches.

Your participation will help us recognise and showcase the true stars and stories of 2023. Submit your nominations on the following link – https://bit.ly/SSClassof2023.

Only a fortnight remains before the two teams that will be at the mercy of the relegation axe in the Gauteng Development League will be decided. Already, beyond a shadow of doubt, Kagiso Porto Academy is going to find itself on the chopping block.

It has been a gruelling eight months of competitive football, with 18 teams battling it out for the honour of being at the top of the footballing fraternity in the province of Gauteng.

Clubs likes Highlands Park, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs have enjoyed successful 2023 campaigns, and they sit comfortably among the top five teams across the divisions.

By contrast, it has been a difficult season for Kagiso Porto Academy, which wasn’t unexpected, because the franchise is in a rebuilding phase.

They are currently bottom of the log in three of the four divisions, while their U19 side is only slightly better positioned, above only Joburg City in the u19 division.

Relegation would mean that Kagiso Porto Academy’s entire programme, which includes the u13s, u15s, u17s and the u19s, would be in a lower league next season despite the u19s’ commendable efforts in their past two fixtures.

The club from Johannesburg West has exhibited good character and no small amount of grit and determination, and it has produced some good football this season but, most importantly, it has consolidated the desire for the game in the football-loving western parts of Johannesburg.

In their two most recent outings, the Kagiso Porto Academy u19s held Kathorus Hyper Academy and Panorama FC to 2-2 draws. However, that won’t be enough to prevent the inevitable drop.

This weekend, they face a tough challenge from log leaders, Highlands Park, on Saturday.

Weekend Fixtures – U19 Dvision:

With the U19 division only two weeks away from its conclusion, Ongama Gcwabe caught up with four of SuperSport Schools’ commentators to get their take on the division’s Future Prospects of South African Football.

English commentator Thando Mjiyako and IsiZulu commentator Sifisokuhle Msimango weighed in on the conversation and, together with the Tswana commentators Orapeleng Mogaki and Lebogang Mahume, chose their Top Five Players of the season.

Interestingly, there were no unanimous selections. Only Kaizer Chiefs’ Khulumane Ndamane and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Thuto Sesipi and Tsiamo Masipi earned two nods from the knowledgeable panel, while the two clubs produced 13 of the 20 selections.

Thando Mjiyako

Nicholas Mnqwiniso – Highlands Park
Khulumane Ndamane – Kaizer Chiefs
Kaylin Katts – School of Excellence
Thuto Sesipi – Mamelodi Sundowns
Dylan Adriaanse – Highlands Park 

WATCH: GDL Podcast Episode 3

Orapeleng Mogaki

Banele Mkhwanazi – TS Galaxy
Khulumani Ndamane – Kaizer Chiefs
Siyabonga Mbuyane – Panorama FC
Oratile Moloisane – Supersport United
Ofentse Kgosana – Kaizer Chiefs

WATCH: GDL Podcast Episode 2

Sifisokuhle Msimango

Tsiamo Masisi – Mamelodi Sundowns
Manelisi Mazibuko – Supersport United
Neo Bohloko – Kaizer Chiefs
Lethabo Malete – Mamelodi Sundowns
Lazola Maku – Supersport United

Lebogang Mahume

Sima Bobo – Kaizer Chiefs
Callum Kruger – Kaizer Chiefs
Mpho Khethang – Kaizer Chiefs
Thuto Sesipi – Mamelodi Sundowns
Tsiamo Masisi – Mamelodi Sundowns

As the school holidays began last weekend, the Engen Champ of Champs tournament took place where the top teams in each of the nine provinces locked horns for the honor of being champ of champs in the country.

SUNDOWNS’ ROAD TO THE FINAL

Without any surprises, Mamelodi Sundowns U18s had a blistering start to the tournament beating Virginia Sports Academy two goals to nil before going on to complete their groups stages with a three-nil victory over FC Milan on the second Day of the tournament. 

All the while, Chippa United, champs of the Eastern Cape and Gqeberha region, were building slowly on their way to qualifying for the semi-finals of the tournament in which they were drawn against Sundowns, making up for a mouthwatering encounter. 

Chippa United, known for being giant slayers in the country’s top-flight division – the Premier Soccer League – embodied their senior team’s spirit and took Sundowns right to the wire. 

The ‘Chilli Boys’, as they are fondly known in the Gqeberha region, put on a fight of note, tying one-all with Sundowns in the most part of the match, before Sundowns’ experience of big games saw them score a second goal to advance to the finals. 

STELLENBOSCH’S ROAD TO THE FINAL

As champs of the Western Cape region, Stellies had an eventful tournament as they did not get off to a good start, failing to capitalise on their chances against Amazulu on opening day.

They drew that fixture and took nothing but confidence into the second Day, where they had Chippa United’s high-pace football to contend with. 

Through much-resilience, Stellies moved past Chippa to qualify for the final where odds were heavily stacked in favour of Sundowns. 

STELLIES – SUNDOWNS FINAL

When Day three began, it was clear that it was finals day as scouts were in attendance, looking for South Africa’s future footballing stars. 

Sundowns coach Rulani Mokoena, despite the busy schedule of coaching Africa’s biggest club, took time out to be in attendance of the final, turning back the time to his days as coach of Sundowns’ U19 teams many years ago. 

With the senior team’s coach Mokoena in attendance, the U19s from Pretoria put on a performance of high quality against Stellies, but the Cape-club were up for the test. 

Nothing could separate the two sides having gone through the full 90 minutes tied one-all with penalties deciding the affair. 

Final – Penalty Shoot-out

Stellies eventually won the final, beating Sundowns 5-4 on penalties to be crowned champ of champs. 

WOMEN’S U20 CHAMP OF CHAMPS

In the women’s U20 division, University of Johannesburg retained their trophy having won it last years as well. 

Having been defeated by Glenwood High School on day one, Cornwall Hill College desperately needed a victory on day two to get their campaign underway.

Faced with a strong Michaelhouse 1^st XI, Cornwall Hill needed most things to go their way on Day two, and when the captain won the toss, there was hope of a better day out in the middle.

Their decision to bowl was motivated by the bowling attack’s good form following Tristan de Klerk’s four-for on day one.

This time around, it was Jason Jansen who put his hand up with the new-ball as the bowler took the prized wicket of Dylan Hewlett for a duck.

Bowling in tandem with Jansen, De Klerk (0/26 in 10 overs) delivered an economical spell giving nothing away to the opposition batters.

But with an in-form Murray Baker in the Michaelhouse 1^st XI, it was inevitable that runs were going to come. Baker went on to score a second-successive half-century, following his 97 on Day One with an 89-ball 81 runs that saw him smash eight 4s in his stay in the crease.

As the case was on Day One, Baker was the only batter that dug-deep to score a fifty-plus score while the next best score was from Ethan Muir with 24 off 48, a knock that included two 4s.

Richard Williams (4/10) was the pick of the bowlers for Cornwall Hill as they were able to restrict Michaelhouse to a chaseable total of 220 runs.

In reply, Cornwall Hill struggled to put together partnerships of substance with the bat, with the best partnership on Day two only amounting to 33 runs between Herselman and Williams.

Eventually, Cornwall Hill were bowled out for 114, losing the match by 106 runs and going down for the second consecutive time in the week. This is after they were bowled out for 111 runs by Glenwood High on Day one.

Left-arm orthodox Cameron Strudwick (5/17) picked up a five-for for Michaelhouse while Nathan Hoastan picked up 3/28, following up his figures of 4/37 on Day one.

Amidst the batting collapse, opening batter Ryan Herselman looked a lot more comfortable out in the middle and went on to score 50 off 92 deliveries and finished top-scorer in the Cornwall Hill innings.

Summarised Scorecard:

Michaelhouse 220/8 (Murray Baker 81, Ethan Muir 24, Cameron Strudwick 22; Richard Williams 4/10, Ryan Herselman 1/27, Amogelang Thoagong 1/25); Cornwall Hill College 114/10 (Ryan Herselman 50, Gerhard Lock 13; Cameron Strudwick 5/17, Nathan Hoastan 3/28). Michaelhouse won by 106 runs.

Following the SA20 Auction earlier this week, where the 17-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorious was roped in by the Paarl Royals, the exciting youngster was in action for St Stithian’s College on Saturday at UKZN on opening day of the Oppenheimer Michaelhouse Week.

With expectations for the youngster to perform through the roof following the auction, he duly delivered a match-winning 69 against Westville Boys’ High, to show why Royals’ coach Mandla Mashimbyi and the entire Royals franchise had shown faith in his talent.

Thebe Gazide (20 runs) also chipped in for the Joburg-based school as they made light work of a below-par total of 108 by the KZN side.

Much is expected of the Saints’ 1st XI, up against some of KZN’s best over the course of the Michaelmas Week, but they’re far from a one-man outfit and loaded with talent.

Their line-up also includes fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, another Paarl Royals’ selection, and SA u19 batter Richard Seletswane.

Bowling first against Westville, Ethan Jacobs was the pick of the Saint Stithian’s bowlers, returning the outstanding figures of 4/10, while Joshua Meyer followed suit with a telling spell of 2/11, as Saints bundled out Westville Boys High for a mediocre 108.

Aryan Gopalan (49 with the bat and 2/19 with the ball) fought a lone battle for the Griffin, but he was unable to find enough support for Westville to mount a serious challenge to the Johannesburgers.

The emphatic nature of the Saint Stithian’s win laid down a marker which, no doubt, captured the attention of the other teams participating in the Michaelmas Week.

Their next two fixtures include outings against sides that recorded one-sided victories on day one – Hilton College and Glenwood – so it will be interesting to see just how the two KZN schools handle the in-your-face gauntlet thrown down by the classy Saints’ outfit.

Summarised Scorecard:

Westville Boys High School 108/10 (Aryan Gapalan 49, Ethan Jacobs 4/10, Joshua Meyer 2/11); St Stithians College 113/2 (Lhuan-dre Pretorius 69, Thebe Gazide 20, Aryan Gopalan 2/19). St Stithians College won by eight wickets.

St. Benedicts College recorded its first ever triumph at the Kearsney College’s Independent Stayers Basketball tournament over the long-weekend, defeating the highly decorated Maritzburg College in the final on Monday.

The sport of basketball is on a steady rise in the African continent and South Africa is no different.

Kearsney College hosted its Basketball Competition last weekend, where the country’s top-schools gathered inland of the Kwazulu-Natal province with hopes of emerging with the prized silverware.

The tournament stretched over a four-day period where eight teams progressed to the playoffs that were scheduled to take place on the final day of the tournament.

Hosts Kearsney College, St Albans College, St Stithians College, Maritzburg College, St Benedicts College, Michaelhouse, St David’s Marist and St John’s College all made it to the playoffs.

The hopes of reaching a home semi-final were crashed by the visiting St Stithians College as Kearsney fell short in the quarter-final with the scorecard reading 46-34 in favour of the visitors.

St Stithians College were the obvious favourites from the start of the tournament but when they faced Maritzburg College in the semi-final, they succumbed to a 42-38 defeat.

On the other hand, St. Benedicts College were making a name for themselves as the tournament progressed after going into the competition as clear underdogs and dark horses.

Having fought their way into the playoffs, St Benedicts made light work of St. Johns College in the quarter-finals beating them 42-39, before going on to thrash St. David’s Marist by a whooping 47-20 score-line.

With the final scheduled on the same day as the quarter-finals and semi-finals, there was very little time for Maritzburg College and St Benedicts College to regroup but the two teams were able to dig deep and produced a closely competed final.

Eventually, the underdogs St Benedicts College walked away victorious with the scoreboard reading 55-43 in their favour.

All the Results: 

GROUP STAGE 

[ninja_tables id=”875″]

PLAY-OFFS

[ninja_tables id=”907″]

JOHANNESBURG. – The Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, and the Tshwane-based Mamelodi Sundowns are set to lock horns this weekend in the Gauteng Development League in what will be a season-defining clash in the u19 division.

Kaizer Chiefs are five games away from wrapping up their u19 division of the GDL, and sitting at second-place on the log, every fixture is a massive opportunity to finish the season on a high. 

Their Tshwane rivals, the prolific Mamelodi Sundowns, are placed third and have seven games left in their GDL campaign.

The two clubs will meet this weekend with Kaizer Chiefs playing hosts and fireworks are anticipated as the league draws a step closer to its conclusion. 

A defeat to Chiefs this weekend could put an end to their title hopes, while Sundowns will be relying on their remaining games to further make a case for a top-seat in the league.

Sitting at the top, nine-points clear of Chiefs, Highlands Park will welcome Randburg AFC at the Balfour Alexandra Football Club on Saturday, while the School of Excellence will travel north to face TS Galaxy.

TS Galaxy, currently sitting at sixth-place on the log, are fresh from a monumental upset of Supersport United last weekend where Galaxy’s solitary goal in the match was enough to earn them three points away from home. 

GDL Fixtures, 23 September 2023: